Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To review infection and sepsis in patients with cancer and to provide an overview of controversies and research-based practices of infectious complications and management strategies.
DATA SOURCES
Research studies, review articles, web sites, and consensus documents.
CONCLUSIONS
Traditional assumptions about infection and its optimal management are redefined by research regarding transfusion and catheter-related infections, prophylactic antibiotic administration, use of growth factors, and antimicrobial therapy regimens.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
Infection is still the most common source of morbidity and mortality among cancer patients. The importance of recognizing high-risk patients, implementing infection prevention practices, and prompt intervention for infection symptoms has been established.
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